Best Teshuvos Podcasts (2024)

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63. Marriage, Mamzeirus and Money - Feat. Rabbi Ezra Schwartz 33:01

23m ago33:01

33:01

Our guest, Rabbi Ezra Schwartz examines Chacham Ovadia Yosef's ruling on suspected infidelity (Yabia Omer, Vol. 3, E.H. #1) which has implications for the couple's marital status and finances alike. Rabbi Schwartz summarizes the key principles employed by Chacham Ovadia and highlights the unique methodology employed to protect the potential mamzer …

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62. Savior of Seforim and Souls: Rav Mordechai Pinchas Teitz zt"l - Feat. Dr. Rivkah Blau 31:37

1d ago31:37

31:37

Discover the extraordinary legacy of Rav Mordechai Pinchas Teitz, the rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ, and a visionary leader who rescued sacred texts and transformed the lives of countless American Jews. Dr. Rivkah Blau shares a teshuva he published in the journal, HaPardes (Year 25, Issue #3, p. 5) and provides several inspiring stories of her esteemed fa…

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61. A Kashrus Compromise? The Parameters of Personal Trust in Halacha - Feat. Rabbi Chaim Jachter 29:55

23d ago29:55

29:55

This episode features Rabbi Chaim Jachter's scholarly examination of the relationship between kashrus and personal trust in halacha (kim lei b’gavei). By introducing the recent Responsa Atzei Besamim (Y.D., no. 10), Rabbi Jachter investigates the parameters of trusting individuals with varying kashrus standards. His discussion addresses key issues,…

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60. A Career of Compassionate Jewish Education - Feat. Rabbi Yaakov Bender 30:37

2M ago30:37

30:37

Returning to his early educational roots, Moshe Kurtz interviews his lifelong Rebbe and Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender about an array of questions pertaining to Jewish education. Through the lens of several teshuvos in Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:104, Y.D. 4:30, and C.M. 2:51), Rabbi Bender emphasizes the importance of compassion and inclusivity as a ha…

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59. Tenuous Texts, Hot Air Balloons, and Shai Agnon: Not Your "Typical" Chalitza Case - Feat. Rabbi Jeffrey Saks 51:41

2M ago51:41

51:41

In this episode, Rabbi Jeffrey Saks delves into the intriguing world of Chalitza, a Jewish law procedure for dissolving a levirate marriage, through the lens of the Maharsham's Responsum (1:14). This complex case involves a hot air balloon ride, obscure texts, and an exclusive revelation about the Nobel laureate Shai Agnon's potential influence fro…

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58. "He Said, She Said": A Tale of Two Teshuvos - Feat. Dr. Elana Stein Hain 34:59

2M ago34:59

34:59

In this episode, Dr. Elana Stein Hain examines a unique pair of responsa by the Rambam (no. 160-161, Mechon Yerushalayim Ed.), which present a harrowing marital dispute from two opposing perspectives - one from the wife's point of view and the other from the husband's. By analyzing these two teshuvos, Dr. Stein Hain gets to the deeper meaning of th…

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57. Disentangling the Secrets of Sha'atnez - Feat. Rabbi Yirmiyah Moldovan 37:00

2M ago37:00

37:00

In addition to his sha'atnez expertise, our guest, Rabbi Yirmiyah Moldovan, is a sofer, shochet, ba'al kriah, and ba'al tokeah. Through the prism of Igros Moshe (Y.D. 1:72), he delves into the obscure world of sha'atnez, exploring both the halachic issues and practical methods for determining which clothing ACTUALLY needs to be tested for the prohi…

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56. A View from the Vanguard: A Conversation with a Contemporary Posek - Feat. Rabbi Asher Bush 37:54

2M ago37:54

37:54

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Asher Bush, a contemporary posek (Jewish legal authority), who offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a modern halachic decisor. Rabbi Bush shares his experiences and insights on how he navigates the complex challenges of the modern world while rendering halachic decisions. We touch on a host of topics from…

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55. What Happens When Halacha Appears to Get History Wrong? - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter 34:38

3M ago34:38

34:38

What happens when a posek steps into the realm of history? Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, one of today's leading Jewish scholars, assesses the historical claims advanced in a late responsum of R. Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, Y.D. 4:57:11) against instituting new fast days. R. Dr. Schacter raises several fundamental questions that arise from R. Feins…

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54. The Pioneering Pesakim of Rav Shlomo Goren - Feat. Rabbi Chaim Metzger 36:47

3M ago36:47

36:47

In this episode, Rabbi Chaim Metzger explores the groundbreaking halachic rulings of Rav Shlomo Goren, a pioneer and previous Chief Rabbi of the Israeli Defense Forces, based on his sefer Meishiv Milchamah (no. 2). Through an analysis of Rav Goren's innovative rulings, Rabbi Metzger reveals how he navigated complex issues facing both the Israeli mi…

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Property Devaluation (2024-07-03) 44:51

3M ago44:51

44:51

Archive.org version, including handout: linkBy Rabbi Yitzhak Grossman

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53. The Briskers Got it Right! (At Least This Time) - Feat. Rabbi David Fried 37:28

3M ago37:28

37:28

Rabbi David Fried explores how a responsum of the Rambam (Shu"T HaRambam, Mechon Yerushalayim Edition, No. 104) sheds light on ambiguities and seeming contradictions in his magnum opus, the Mishneh Torah. He demonstrates how reading the "original" responsum can possibly settle a debate between Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, Y.D. 2:7) and Rav Aha…

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52. Recovering the Remarkable Rulings of Rav Nosson Nota Zuber zt"l - Feat. Rabbi Yossi Katz 35:53

4M ago35:53

35:53

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Katz delves into the fascinating life and works of Rav Nosson Nota Zuber, a Talmudic scholar who served as the rabbi of Roselle, NJ. Through a general exploration of Rav Zuber's responsa contained in Zichron Menachem, Rabbi Katz reveals the remarkable rulings and insights made by this less-well-known, yet exceedingly er…

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51. Ona'as Mamon: Approaches to Jewish Economic Regulation - Feat. Rabbi Tzvi Benoff 34:11

3M ago34:11

34:11

In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Benoff explores the concept of Ona'as Mamon, a Jewish law regulating fair business practices and economic conduct. With a focus on Responsa Shevet HeLevi (O.C. 4:1), he delves into the nuances of this principle, discussing various approaches to its interpretation and application in contemporary economic life.…

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50. The Get of Kleves: From Divorce to Dementia in Jewish Law - Feat. Rabbi Kalman Laufer 36:50

5M ago36:50

36:50

In this episode, Rabbi Kalman Laufer explores the complex and sensitive topic of "The Gett of Kleeves" and its implications for dementia in Jewish law. Through his analysis of the responsa collected in Sefer Or HaYashar, Rabbi Laufer sheds light on the halachic considerations surrounding divorce and claims of mental incapacity. As a bioethicist and…

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49. Evasion, Avoidance and Workarounds in the Halachic System - Feat. Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman 40:13

5M ago40:13

40:13

In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman joins us to explore the fascinating themes of his book "Letter and Spirit: Evasion, Avoidance, and Workarounds in the Halachic System". We delve into the intricate strategies and mechanisms that have evolved within Jewish law to navigate complex ethical and legal dilemmas. Rabbi Feldman shares his expertise …

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48. Printing Press Politics: Investigating the Mishneh Torah Copyright Controversy - Feat. Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg 37:31

5M ago37:31

37:31

Join us for a fascinating journey through the intersection of Jewish history, copyright law, and community politics in our latest episode, "Printing Press Politics: Investigating the Mishneh Torah Copyright Controversy". Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg, a renowned expert in Jewish studies, joins us to delve into the contentious debate surrounding the r…

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47. The Lesser of Two Evils: Is it Ever Kosher to Look the Other Way? - Feat. Rabbi Shimon Altshul 38:14

5M ago38:14

38:14

In this episode, Rabbi Shimon Altshul joins us to delve into a captivating responsum of the Chasam Sofer (Y.D., no. 45), one of the most influential Jewish scholars of the 18th/19th century. We explore a kashrus controversy that rocked his community, where a debate over the potentially treif status of much of their food threatened to tear the commu…

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46. Cutting it Close: The Problem with Pre-Shabbos Surgeries - Feat. Rabbi Yossi Kamman 38:43

6M ago38:43

38:43

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Kamman joins us to explore a fascinating responsum (Likutei Sichos, Vol. 16, p. 518) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson) against scheduling elective surgeries within a few days of Shabbos. Rabbi Kamman presents us with an insightful profile of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, his approach to halachah, and wha…

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45. [Special Episode] Responsa from the RCA - Feat. Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon, Rav Mark Dratch, Rav Shlomo Weissman and more! 42:30

6M ago42:30

42:30

We attended the Rabbinical Council of America Conference 2024 and did some rapid fire interviews with many of the rabbis who were present. They were given a few minutes to share their favorite responsa and which topic they (in theory or in practice) would write a teshuva about. Order of guests: Rabbi Mark Dratch Rabbi Jordan Aurebach Rabbi Maury Ke…

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44. Minhag vs. Halacha: The Friday Night Kiddush Controversy - Feat. Rabbanit Ayelet Schlesinger 36:44

6M ago36:44

36:44

In this episode, we're joined by Rabbanit Ayelet Schlesinger for a fascinating exploration of a recurring question: What happens when minhag (custom) conflicts with halacha (Jewish law)? Using the case study of Friday Night Kiddush, we delve into how three responsa - Yachin U'Boaz (1:118), Or Zarua (Vol. 1, Responsum no. 752), and Yabia Omer (1:15)…

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43. The Way is Shut: A Probing of Post-Talmudic Authority - Feat. Rabbi Shmuel Phillips 38:08

6M ago38:08

38:08

May later generations disagree with their predecessors? Can religious authority be controlled by a specific locale? Our guest, Rabbi Shmuel Phillips addresses these questions and distills several fundamental lessons from a lesser known responsum of the Rambam (Iggeres no. 18). More info and the best links for buying his books are at www.TalmudRecla…

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42. Should I Study Biblical Criticism? - Feat. Rabbi Steven Gotlib 36:38

6M ago36:38

36:38

Should I Study Biblical Criticism? In this episode, we provide a glimpse into the complex and often contentious world of Biblical criticism, exploring how two prominent theological schools of thought - Conservative and Orthodox - approach the study of our holy Torah. While both sides affirm the general authority of the Bible, they diverge sharply o…

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41. The Epistle to Yemen - Feat. Rabbi Chezkie Glatt 37:43

7M ago37:43

37:43

In this episode, we explore the Rambam's Iggeres Teiman (Epistle to Yemen) - a powerful and poignant letter written to the Jewish community of Yemen around the year 1173/1174.Our guest, Rabbi Chezkie Glatt explains how the letter offers words of comfort, encouragement, and hope in the face of heresy and hardship. We provide a general survey of the …

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40. [Special Episode] Letters to the Editor - Feat. The Listeners! 21:04

7M ago21:04

21:04

It's finally here! In this episode, we go through YOUR reactions to previous episodes of the podcast and much more! God willing, we will return with more regular episodes following Pesach. Links to references made in the episode: 1) Support the Podcast / Sponsor an Episode - Eichlers Registry. 2) Igros Moshe Series with Tradition Online. 3) Challen…

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39. Dancing on Shabbos: Where Halacha Meets Hasidut - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem 36:29

7M ago36:29

36:29

The Mishnah (Beitzah 36b) forbids dancing and clapping on Shabbos/Yom Tov. How do we make sense of the many ostensibly observant people, including Torah scholars, who appear to disregard this explicit stricture? R. Dr. Zvi Leshem, an expert in Chassidic thought, breaks down the unique approach of the Minchas Elazar (1:29) who argues that dancing on…

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38. Who Let the Dogs In? A Study of Service Animals & the Synagogue - Feat. Rabbi Dan Margulies 38:04

7M ago38:04

38:04

Are animals permitted in the synagogue? What if they provide a service, such as guiding those who are blind? R. Dan Margulies, a former service dog trainer, provides a unique glimpse into R. Moshe Feinstein's iconic responsum (Igros Moshe, O.C. 1:45 on the topic, and a critical data point that many of his detractors were missing.…

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37. Rabbinic Rifts & Family Feuds: A Compelling Yibum Controversy - Feat. Mr. Gedaliah Wielgus, Esq. 36:22

8M ago36:22

36:22

What happens when someone cannot afford to do Yibum but insists on it? What happens when the widow is Ashkenazic and the Yavam is Sephardic? Does it make a difference whether the rabbis are Ashkenazic or Sephardic? Should the mother/mother-in-law's opinion count? In this episode, Mr. Gedaliah Wielgus, who teaches "Shu"T al haDaf", shares with us a …

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36. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? A Radical Ruling of the Rosh - Feat. Rabbi Elli Fischer 39:00

8M ago39:00

39:00

Why do we seem to pray for rain at the wrong times? Can we adjust the dates for V'sein Tal U'matar? Who even came up with setting December 4th/5th as a day of halachic significance? Rabbi Elli Fischer shares with us a radical ruling of the Rosh (Responsum 4:10) on this topic and its intriguingly fraught reception.Rabbi Fischer's very own translatio…

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35. Sephardic Simplicity: Chacham Ovadia's Approach to Chametz - Feat. Rabbi Moses Haber 31:59

8M ago31:59

31:59

In the lead up to Pesach, Rabbi Moses Haber unpacks a seminal responsum of Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Da'as 1:11) to clarify how many Sephardim obviate potential mixtures of chametz and to highlight Rav Yosef's programmatic approach to the development of Sephardic halachic-public-policy. This episode is dedicated in memory of Rose Nuni Dayan.…

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34. The Shabbos Bride…Literally! - Feat. Rabbi Zachary Beer 30:46

8M ago30:46

30:46

Rabbi Zachary Beer presents one of the most iconic responsa of the Rema (no. 125) about performing a marriage on shabbos in extenuating circumstances and what it means for broader halachic methodology. This episode is dedicated liyuli nishmas Yitzchak Elimelech ben Akiva Ze’ev by his family.

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33. Uncorking The Rema's Censored Wine Responsum - Feat. Rabbi Drew Kaplan 33:14

8M ago33:14

33:14

Rabbi Drew Kaplan, an aficionado in all things Torah & alcohol related, uncorks a controversial responsum of the Rema (no. 124) about the tenuous permissibility of Stam Yeinam.

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32. From Scandal to Seder: How Geonic Polemic Shaped the Text of the Haggadah - Feat. Yosef Lindell 36:06

8M ago36:06

36:06

In this episode, we go back to one of the earliest examples of responsa literature: The Siddur of Rav Amram Gaon. Yosef Lindell provides us with a framework for understanding the fluidity and development the Haggadah and uses it as a case study in understanding the development of Jewish liturgy, from the ancient Talmuds to the Rabbanite-Karaite con…

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31. Spirits and Slaughter: A (Halachic) Purim Murder Mystery - Feat. Rabbi Avi Hoffman 38:04

8M ago38:04

38:04

From Ancient Persia to Medieval France, Rabbi Avi Hoffman provides a halachic and historical framework for understanding the role of alcohol throughout the ages. In particular, we focus on Rav Avraham ben Yitzchak M'Narbonah (Teshuvos HaRa'Avi ABa"D, no. 149), and how he ruled in a case of negligent homicide committed while under the influence.…

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30. Sacred Study: May One Learn Medicine on Shabbos? - Feat. R' Yaakov Wolff 33:41

9M ago33:41

33:41

May a medical student observe a surgery performed on Shabbos? What about a common person who wants to observe it out of curiosity or "entertainment"? R' Yaakov Wolff, host of Shtark Tank, unpacks a responsum from Rav Yaakov Emden (She'ailas Ya'avetz, no. 41) on this topic and contextualizes it within the broader literature. Check out the Shtark Tan…

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29. Money, Mikvah and Minhag: The Rise of "Big Funeral" - Feat. Rabbi Daniel Sayani 35:10

9M ago35:10

35:10

In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Sayani presents two diametrically opposed traditions of approaching Taharah and other post-mortem religious practices. The Mystical/Sephardic approach found in Responsa Yaskil Avdi (Y.D. 4:24) and the pragmatic/"litvishe" approach espoused by the Igros Moshe (Y.D. 3:135-137). We discuss the later innovation of dipping …

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28. An Inadvertent Infidelity - Feat. Rabbi Gil Student 37:09

9M ago37:09

37:09

In the lead up to Purim, R. Gil Student analyzes a pivotal responsum of the Maharik (no. 167) regarding an inadvertent infidelity, what we can learn from Esther, and its implications for post-Talmudic hermeneutics. (As the title indicates, we discuss some sensitive topics so listeners' discretion is advised.) At the end of this episode, Rabbi Stude…

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27. The Razor-Sharp Incisiveness of Rav Nachum Rabinovitch - Feat. Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung 36:50

9M ago36:50

36:50

Rav Nachum Rabinovitch zt"l was one of the great Israeli poskim of recent memory. In this episode we welcome a talmid of his, Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung, who shares one of his rebbe's responsa (Siach Nachum, no. 30) about shaving and uses it to profile Rav Rabinovitch's unique approach to paskening halacha.…

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26. From Sabbateanism to Hinduism: Does Teshuvah Have Its Limits? - Feat. Rabbi Mordechai Becher 37:51

9M ago37:51

37:51

A person can always repent and completely atone for their previous sins, right? In the cases of a penitent ex-follower of Shabbtai Tzvi and a previous "worshipper" of Hindu deities we see that this matter is not so simple. Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Jewish historian and lecturer, provides us with a remarkable responsum of the Chacham Tzvi (no. 13) and…

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25. Gaza: Past, Present and Future - Feat. Rabbi Michael Freund 39:58

9M ago39:58

39:58

In this episode, Rabbi Michael Freund, a scholar, previous member of the Netanyahu administration, and father of sons serving in the IDF, discusses the religious significance of the land of Gaza, and what it means for the broader Land of Israel. We explore a teshuvah of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, published by the Machon Torah V'Ha'aretz (cf. Responsa B'Oh…

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24. Pandora's Soda Bottle and the Jewish "Shabbos Goy" - Feat. Rabbi Mark Glass 39:08

9M ago39:08

39:08

May someone who subscribes to a stringent halachic position ask someone else to be his "shabbos goy"? Our guest, Rabbi Mark Glass unpacks a responsum of the Minchas Asher (1:11) to help us understand the difference between stringencies that result from a pious practice versus principled disregard for other opinions.…

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23. Daughters and Kaddish - Feat. Rabbanit Shalhevet Cahana 39:50

9M ago39:50

39:50

Recently, we looked at R. Shlomo Wahrman's opposition to women reciting Kaddish. In this episode, we welcome Shalhevet Cahana who addresses the Chavos Yair (no. 222), Teshuvah m'Ahava (2:229) and R. Yosef Eliyahu Henkin (HaPardes, Year 38, Issue 6) - and also shares her personal experience with reciting Kaddish. (See also Igros Moshe O.C. 512:2 for…

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22. Of Grammar and Grit: Does Dikduk Really Matter? - Feat. R. Daniel Mann 37:50

9M ago37:50

37:50

In this episode R. Daniel Mann contrasts a personal letter of R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (v'Aleihu Lo Yibol, p. 268) with how it is presented in Halichos Shlomo (Krias HaTorah 12:24) to address how concerned we should be for understanding Hebrew grammar by and what it means for the responsible application of Responsa Literature writ large.…

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21. A Gadol in Disguise: The Wisdom & Warmth of Rav Shlomo Wahrman zt"l - Feat. Rabbi Eli Slomnicki 37:33

10M ago37:33

37:33

How many people can say that their high school rebbe was a gadol b'Torah (first-rate Torah scholar)? This was the case in HANC (Hebrew Academy of Nassau County) in which our guest, R. Eli Slomnicki - who now serves as the principal of the upper school - had the privilege of learning under Rav Shlomo Wahrman zt"l for many years. In this episode, we …

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20. All Aboard the Zebu (Halachic) Safari! - Feat. Rabbi Binyomin Fishman 36:29

10M ago36:29

36:29

Are Zebu kosher? Wait, what's a Zebu? In this episode, R. Binyomin Fishman breaks down a disagreement between The Chazon Ish (Hilchos Beheima v'Chaya, no. 11) and R. Yisroel Belsky (Responsa Shulchan HaLevi 1:19) on the nature of Zebu, Bison and other marvelous animals - and what their kashrus status means for the broader question of how we determi…

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19. The Case for Coeducation - Feat. Michael Feldstein & Joseph Kaplan, Esq. 37:54

10M ago37:54

37:54

In this episode we explore whether there is a case to be made for coeducation in our Yeshivos and Jewish Day Schools. We open up with two (of several) responsa from Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:104 and 4:28) and contrast it with a lesser known letter from Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. This is a special episode in which we are joined by two guests, Messrs. M…

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Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due (2024-01-03) 54:36

10M ago54:36

54:36

Archive.org version, including handout: linkBy Rabbi Yitzhak Grossman

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Jewish Guilt (2023-08-23) 49:36

11M ago49:36

49:36

Archive.org version, including handout: linkBy Rabbi Yitzhak Grossman

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18. Riots, Protests and Property Damage - Feat. Rabbi Yitzchok Oratz 37:41

11M ago37:41

37:41

Should a Jew care so much about material possessions? Ethical discourses generally emphasize the significance of money, but many halachic sources point to the importance of respecting one's property. R. Yitzchok Oratz focuses on a remarkable responsum of the Binyan Tzion (1:167) to infer how a Jew should think about protests that turn violent. See …

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17. Conversion & Unfortunate Estrangement - Feat. Rabbi Zvi Romm 38:41

11M ago38:41

38:41

What should family life look like post-conversion? R. Zvi Romm shares a bittersweet responsum from Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:130) in which R. Moshe Feinstein argues that it may not only be permissible for a convert to maintain a relationship with their biological parents, but a mitzvah.

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